Smart Talk September 15th – 21st, 2018

Check out this week’s Smart Talk where we congratulate Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare on a recent award, applaud Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim on his appointment to the LI RPC, show support for Car Free Day LI, and more…

Cameron Engineering

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A comprehensive knowledge of municipal codes, government regulations, and industry standards is incorporated into all of their work. This assures that they provide quality engineering and up-to-date solutions. The principals and senior level management are continuously involved in the planning, control, implementation, and quality review of each project. Their timely submissions and quality engineering are the primary reasons for their clients to request their services on a repeat basis.

“Our new transit oriented development projects filled up immediately and it has been a recipe for success. People can live, eat, shop and participate in Main Street with new businesses making Valley Stream their home.” – Hon. Ed Fare, Mayor,Village of Valley Stream

US Conference of Mayors Honors Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare

Vision was out this week in the Village of Valley Stream at an event honoring Mayor Ed Fare.

The US Conference of Mayors recognized the Village for support of their business district, including transit oriented development, as well as other community improvements.

“Our new transit oriented development projects filled up immediately and it has been a recipe for success,” said Mayor Fare. “People can live, eat, shop and participate in Main Street with new businesses making Valley Stream their home.”

Vision was able to speak at the event along with PSEG-LI spotlighting their two new Main Street economic development programs and former legislator Fran Becker among others.

Stay tuned for more progress from the Village of Valley Stream in the coming months…..

Hempstead IDA moves to Assist Island Park Project

The Town of Hempstead has given preliminary approval for a package of economic incentives for a 172-unit apartment complex in Island Park.

The proposal came from AvalonBay and will look to redevelop 11.6 acres of property formerly used as an oil storage and distribution center. The project had been originally planned by Psoillico all the way back in 2008 until the housing market collapse caused them to hold onto and then eventually partnering with AvalonBay in 2012.

However, the plan had originally called for condos and Hempstead would deny what was now a mostly rental property. The developers would take the case to court and win the right to move forward with the project. AvalonBay would then buy out Posillico as sole owner and switch the proposal to all rentals.

AvalonBay will now need to remediate the site to a standard that satisfies local and state laws for brownfield cleanup. Cost for that process is estimated to be in the $10 million range. AvalonBay has expressed a desire for the cleanup to being later this year once the company receives site approval.

“We’re looking forward to working further with the DEC and town to make this one of the premier waterfront developments on Long Island,” said AvalonBay Vice President Christopher Capece. “The Avalon Great Neck parcel, the old Commander Oil terminal, had a lot of the same site characteristics as Island Park. Both old fuel oil terminals that had multiple above-ground storage tanks with millions of gallons of petroleum storage capacity, both contaminated waterfront sites, and both with tremendous potential.”

Apartment Complex Proposed for Former Sears Site in Riverhead

East Main Street in Riverhead may soon see a new apartment complex as a proposal for a 170-unit mixed-use structure has been proposed for the village.

Known officials as 203-213 East Main Street, the project is being proposed Metro Group Properties and is immediately adjacent to Riverview Lofts, another mixed-use development currently under development. The Lofts have raised concerns about construction, however, as it was reported that pile driving used to stabilize the ground caused damage to multiple historic buildings in the area. The stabilization is required sue to the project being built in a flood zone.

Though it’s not clear if the Metro Group will use the same type of pile drive on the property, Riverhead’s Landmarks Preservation Commission has already forwarded recommendations on the issue to the town.

“Specifically identify the type of pile driving that will be used and the number and depth of piles to be driven, along with any measures that will be taken to minimize damage to nearby historic structures,” wrote commisision chairman Richard Wines.

In response to the proposal, the town has scheduled a scoping session to give the public a chance to suggest issues they’d like to be a part of the environmental impact study for the project. The session will take place on October 2nd at 2 pm and October 16th at 6 pm. The applicant has already submitted a draft scoping document to the town, which will have until November 3rd to address the issues raised in it.

The department has already received suggestions concerning the cumalitive impact of having two large complexes so close to each other. Issues include the usual parking concerns as well as staging sites for construction while it is in progress. The proposal has called for an underground parking area with 88 spaces even though parking is not required due to the project being in the town’s public parking district.

PSEG Long Island Dishes Out Sweet Savings for New Long Beach Dessert Shop

Baked by the Ocean, a brand-new Long Beach eatery run by a two-time James Beard Award finalist, celebrated its official grand opening today, thanks in part to a $25,000 grant from PSEG Long Island. The grant was part of PSEG Long Island’s new Main Street Revitalization program.

“PSEG Long Island is proud to support our local communities,” said John Keating, manager of economic development for PSEG Long Island. “We know the Long Island economy thrives on small businesses, which is why PSEG Long Island created the Main Street Revitalization and Vacant Space Revival Programs. These two programs help small business owners like Catherine Schimenti get a head start toward a successful future in our downtowns. It is a win-win for all. ”

Baked by the Ocean took over a historic hardware store that was destroyed when Superstorm Sandy devastated Long Beach in 2012. The store remained vacant for nearly six years, until Baked by the Ocean transformed the space into the trendy dessert shop it is today.

Schimenti, the owner and pastry chef, is a Long Island native. She renovated the space with a new sprinkler system, energy efficient windows, a new energy efficient air conditioner, and state-of-the-art equipment, to create delicious baked goods to delight her Long Beach neighbors and sweet-lovers from near and far.
“I’ve dedicated my whole life to cooking and it only seemed right to open my new shop in Long Beach. The community of small business owners is amazing to be a part of,” said Schimenti. “I am beyond grateful that the community and PSEG Long Island have recognized how much love and effort I have put towards Baked by the Ocean.”

PSEG Long Island’s Main Street Revitalization Program is designed to support the economic vitality of a business district and to optimize the use of existing electric infrastructure. This program offers grants for projects that are expected to improve the economic stability and growth of a local business district. Eligible projects include: interior renovations; facade improvements; streetscape improvements; and other investments that would enhance the economic viability/vibrancy of the business district.

“Baked by the Ocean has been an incredible addition to the Long Beach business community,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky. “Thanks to PSEG Long Island for providing them resources to help grow Long Beach’s economy and continue to revitalize Long Beach’s West End.”

“With the many challenges faced by small business owners on Long Island, it’s refreshing to see PSEG Long Island making smart investments in our community to support businesses and enhance our downtowns,” said Assemblywoman Melissa Miller. “The Long Beach community welcomes Baked by the Ocean to this long vacant store front and I wish them much success in the future.”

“Baked by the Ocean has become an integral part of the renaissance we are seeing in our west end business district,” said City Council president Anthony Eramo. “Not only are they adding to the culture here, they are doing it in an environmentally-conscious way – with energy efficient equipment and lighting. We are grateful that PSEG Long Island has recognized Ms. Schimenti’s hard work with this grant funding, and we hope that her vibrant, more energy efficient space will serve as an example for other businesses.”

In addition, Baked by the Ocean qualified for PSEG Long Island’s Vacant Space Revival Program, which offers special bill discounts to encourage occupancy of commercial space in a business district that has been vacant for one year or more. Vacant business space detracts from the economic strength of a business district and results in underutilization of existing electric infrastructure.

Schimenti continued, “I don’t take the grant I received lightly. It is a huge honor to be recognized and supported by PSEG Long Island.”

Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim Named to LI Regional Planning Council

The Suffolk County Executive has tapped Ed Wehrheim as one of two new voices on the Long Island Regional Council.

“I am extremely honored and humbled by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for putting his faith in me,” Wehrheim said. “Together, we can unite all Long Island residents in a non-partisan effort to deliver a modern-day renaissance here in our beautiful home.”

Wehrheim is in his first term as supervisor after being elected in 2017. Since then he has worked with local residents to move ahead with projects aimed at boosting communities and improving Main Streets. A part of that has been his ability to work with the County on a regional basis,

The Council is an inter-municipal organization that promotes connections between communities with a focus on issues and planning on a larger geographic scale. Some areas of interest include capital projects for economic growth, improving mass transit, affordable workforce housing, and environmental protection during development. In just little under a year he’s helped to advance sewer projects in Kings Park, Smithton, and St. James in order to increase capacity.

“I am extremely honored and humbled by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for putting his faith in me,” Wehrheim said. “Together, we can unite all Long Island residents in a non-partisan effort to deliver a modern-day renaissance here in our beautiful home.”

Other elected officials involved in the Long Island Regional Planning Council include: Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen (D); Ralph Scordino, mayor of the Village of Babylon; Robert Kennedy, mayor of the Village of Freeport; and Barbara Donno, mayor of the Village of Plandome Manor.

Car Free Day Comes to Long Island

Vision Long Island was out in support for Car Free Day with a press conference aimed at bringing awareness to Long Island residents of the important initiative.

The event took place this past Monday at Farmingdale State College and featured a slew of local transit advocates and stakeholders from the area. Rosemary Mascali, co-chair of Car Free Day, spoke first on how the movement is an international event spreading across the world and is an effort to bring people to the idea that cars are not the only form of transportation that can be used to get around. Car Free Day itself is a movement aimed at encouraging people to drop or limit car use for at least one day in order to raise awareness for the issue.

She also talked about how Car Free Day has morphed slightly so as to also include Mobility Week, which took place this week, which is an informative effort to spread the news about sustainable transportation. Dr. John Nadar from Farmingdale State College, Joe Brown, NYS DOT Regional Director for LI, Phil Eng, LIRR President, Jack Khzouz, NICE Bus CEO, Darnell Tyson, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, Chad Lupinacci, Huntington Town Supervisor, Terrence McSweeny, Babylon Town Councliman, Mike Lavorata, Lindenhurst Village Mayor, Paul Spreer 511NY Rideshare, and Jane Fasullo, the Sierra Club, were all also in attendance and spoke.

Vision’s Placemaking Director Elissa Kyle was also spoke at the event, stating that “Downtowns thrive on people feeling safe, comfortable and enjoying walking around. Providing viable alternatives to driving downtown benefits everybody from shopkeepers and shoppers to residents both in and around downtown.”

Greenman Pedersen, Inc would also get in the spirit and enourage their employees to bike, walk, or take public transit to work this morning. Several employees did, helping to make this initiative even more of a success.

Walk-Bike-Explore Lindenhurst this Sunday, September 22nd

The Village of Lindenhurst will be hosting a Walk-Bike-Explore Lindenhurst event as part of Mobility Week. The event is part of the Village’s Walkability Study and will feature a “Lindy Pride Ride” bike ride (route can be found on the flyer) and a community “Lindenwalk,” (route also on flyer) where attendees can provide feedback to GPI, the engineering firm hired to do the Walkability Study. There will also be community groups, such as the Lindenhurst Cycling Club, that will provide a demonstration on bicycle safety to children and adults.The event will take place from 10am-1pm

Bring a bike to participate in the Lindy Pride Ride!

For more information, contact Village Hall at (631) 957-7500 or info@villageoflindenhurstny.gov

Running concurrently with the event will be the Village and Chamber of Commerce’s revamped farmers market from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

CNU NY to Hold Chapter Summit this October 12th – 13th

The New York Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism is holding their chapter summit, “Re-Imagining the Suburbs,” a suburban retrofit themed workshop focusing on “new towns” and emerging transit corridors in Amherst.

The event will take place from Fri, Oct 12, 2018, 8:00 AM – Sat, Oct 13, 2018, 5:00 PM EDT. It will be held in Williamsville, NY, a 200 year old mill town, for a weekend of expert speakers, tours, and charrettes aimed at unique retrofit opportunities. The program will kick off with an Urban Land Institute breakfast and wrap up with a celebration tour of the CNU 22 legacy.

Suffolk County Purchasing Office Posts New Procurement Opportunity

The Suffolk County Purchasing Division, on behalf of the Department of Economic Development and Planning, is Seeking Contractor Services to Provide a Public Private Partnership (P3) Viability Analysis Based on a Specific Case Study.

To obtain a copy of the document, please log on to the Suffolk County website here and select from the Menu Bar Offerings/Search. Locate Document #18026 and click View Detail.

You must be registered to search for offerings on the County’s website. Instructions on how to register are located at the above link to view the County’s website.

Nassau County Executive Curran Speaks to VLI Board

Vision was happy to have Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand at a recent board meeting held in downtown Farmingdale at TAO Asian Fusion, a new restaurant in a mixed use project built as part of the Village’s revitalization initiative.

County Executive Curran covered a range of topics including the Nassau HUB, tax assessment, transit oriented development, economic development programs through the IDA, workforce housing and clean energy. For the many years since she was first a legislator the County Executive has been an advocate for smart growth solutions to the many downtowns and needed infrastructure investment in Nassau County. The Vision Board wished her success and looks forward to continuing to work with her and her new administration.

Smart Talk

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